You've seen them at every gate in LAX, Heathrow, and Haneda. That little white woven label with the nostalgic cursive script. It’s basically the unofficial uniform for the "creative professional" demographic. But honestly, when you're looking at a Herschel Supply carry on luggage piece, you have to wonder if you’re paying for a vibe or an actual piece of engineering. It’s a fair question. Most travel gear looks like it was designed by a committee that hates joy, while Herschel looks like something you’d actually want in your apartment.
The Vancouver-based brand, started by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack in 2009, didn't actually start in a town called Herschel. Their family grew up there, sure, but the brand itself was a calculated move to bring "heritage" aesthetics to a market dominated by either cheap, disposable bags or hyper-expensive, soulless aluminum cases. For a long time, their luggage was just "okay." Lately, they’ve leaned harder into hardshell tech and recycled materials.
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Let's get into it.
The Trade-Off Between Style and Scuffs
Most people gravitate toward the Trade or the Heritage hardshell lines. They look incredible in photos. The matte finishes and those signature muted colors—Ash Rose, Night Camo, or just the classic Raven Crosshatch—pop. But here’s the thing: hardshell Herschel Supply carry on luggage is made from polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate is great. It's flexible. It doesn't crack under pressure like the cheap ABS plastic you find in big-box store suitcases. However, Herschel uses a molded texture on many of their bags that loves to collect "travel scars." If you’re the type of person who needs their gear to look pristine after ten flights, the matte finish might drive you crazy. You'll see streaks from the conveyor belts. You'll see white scuffs from where the overhead bin door slammed shut.
Does it affect the integrity? No. Is it annoying? Kinda.
If you want something that hides the wear and tear, you actually want to look at their soft-shell options or the newer Eco line. The 600D polyester they use is surprisingly thick. It’s the same stuff they use on their backpacks, which people have been beating up for over a decade. It handles abrasion way better than the sleek plastic brothers.
The Wheel Situation: Hinomoto or Bust?
We need to talk about the wheels. This is where a $200 carry-on separates itself from a $600 Rimowa or a $50 generic bag.
For a while, Herschel’s wheels were just standard dual-spinners. They were fine on airport linoleum but felt like a vibrating massage chair once you hit European cobblestones. Recently, they’ve started incorporating better hardware. The "Trade" series usually features functional multi-directional wheels that are quiet. They aren't quite the legendary Japanese Hinomoto wheels you find on high-end brands like Monos or Beis, but they’re solid.
You’ve probably experienced that "death wobble" with cheap luggage where the bag starts swaying when you walk fast. Herschel has mostly solved this by widening the wheel stance. It feels grounded.
Real Talk: If you're sprinting through the terminal because your connection in O'Hare is tight, these wheels won't fail you. But if you're dragging the bag through the gravel paths of a villa in Tuscany, you're going to feel every single pebble in your wrist.
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Inside the Liner: The Striped Secret
The most iconic part of any Herschel Supply carry on luggage isn't the outside. It's the red and white striped liner. It’s inspired by old-school workwear.
It's not just for looks.
Have you ever tried to find a black charging cable inside a black suitcase in a dimly lit hotel room? It sucks. You’re basically feeling around in a dark cave. The high-contrast stripes actually make it much easier to spot your gear. It’s a small design win that most "serious" luggage brands miss because they’re too busy trying to look professional.
Most of their carry-ons utilize a 50/50 split.
One side has a zippered mesh compartment (great for dirty laundry or shoes).
The other side has the standard compression straps.
It’s basic. It’s simple. It works. Honestly, some brands over-engineer the interior with fourteen different pockets that you never use, which just ends up taking up precious packing volume. Herschel stays out of your way.
Is it Actually "Carry-On" Sized?
This is where travelers get burned.
Airlines are getting mean. United and American have been cracking down on "International" vs. "Domestic" sizes.
The standard Herschel Trade Carry-On usually sits at about 23 inches tall including the wheels.
Warning: Some budget carriers in Europe (looking at you, Ryanair) will flag this.
If you’re flying domestic in the US, you’re usually golden. If you’re doing a multi-leg trip through Southeast Asia or budget hops across the pond, you want the "Small" or "Compact" versions.
Size Breakdown:
- Trade Small: 23'' x 15'' x 9''. This is your standard US domestic workhorse.
- Highland: These are the four-wheel soft shells. They have a bit more "squish" factor for those tight overhead bins.
- Novel: Not a roller, but their duffel with the shoe compartment. It’s the king of "personal item" travel if you’re a light packer.
The Eco-Logic Shift
The luggage industry is a massive polluter. Tons of virgin plastic.
Herschel has been moving toward their "Eco" line, which uses 100% recycled fabrics and recycled road-ready shells. It’s a legitimate effort, not just greenwashing. The fabric is made from post-consumer water bottles.
The interesting part? The recycled fabric actually feels tougher than the original stuff. It has a slightly more rugged hand-feel. If you’re choosing between the standard and the Eco, go Eco. The price difference is usually negligible, and the durability is arguably better.
Addressing the "Hipster" Stigma
There was a period around 2015 where every person in a coffee shop had a Herschel bag. It became a bit of a meme. Because of that, some "serious" travelers dismissed the brand as a fashion accessory.
That was a mistake.
The Cormack brothers come from a background in sales and apparel (Jamie worked at K2 Sports). They understand that if a bag breaks, the customer never comes back. They offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Now, "limited" is the keyword there—it doesn't cover "I dropped my bag off a cliff"—but it does cover manufacturing defects in the zippers, handles, and wheels.
The zippers are usually YKK. That’s the gold standard. If you see a suitcase with "no-name" zippers, run away. A broken zipper in the middle of a trip is a nightmare. Herschel’s zippers are beefy and rarely track off the rails.
What No One Tells You About the Handles
The trolley handle is the weakest point on almost every suitcase. If you pick up a cheap bag and the handle jiggles like a loose tooth, it’s going to snap.
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Herschel’s handles have a bit of play in them, which is actually intentional. You need a little bit of "give" so the metal doesn't snap when the bag is tossed around. However, compared to a Tumi or a Briggs & Riley, the Herschel handle feels a bit "plasticky." It’s the one area where you can tell it’s a mid-range bag and not a luxury one.
Actionable Steps for Buying and Maintenance
If you're ready to pull the trigger on a Herschel Supply carry on luggage piece, don't just buy the first one you see on Sale.
- Check the Weight: The hardshell Trade Small weighs about 6-7 lbs empty. That’s decent, but if you’re flying an airline with a 7kg (15lb) total limit, you've already used up half your weight on the bag itself. Consider the soft-shell Highland if weight is a dealbreaker.
- The Magic Eraser Trick: If you get a hardshell and hate the scuffs, buy a pack of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They take off about 90% of the black marks from airport conveyor belts. It’s like a reset button for your luggage.
- Lubricate the Wheels: Once a year, spray a tiny bit of dry silicone lubricant into the wheel bearings. Don't use WD-40 (it attracts gunk). Silicone will keep them silent and spinning.
- Test the Zip: When you get the bag, run the zippers around the corners ten times. If it catches while the bag is empty, it’ll be worse when it’s stuffed. Return it immediately for a different unit.
Herschel isn't trying to be the most "pro" luggage in the world. They’re trying to be the bag for the person who cares about how they look but also needs to get through a week in Tokyo without a wheel falling off. For 90% of travelers, that’s more than enough.
Invest in the Eco-hardshell for the best longevity. Stick to the darker colors if you're worried about stains. Use packing cubes to maximize the internal 50/50 split.
Your gear should work for you, not the other way around.